Can a Notary Public in Pennsylvania notarize their own signature?

A Notary Public in Pennsylvania cannot notarize their own signature, as this practice presents a conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the notarization process. The primary role of a notary is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, ensuring that the signers are who they claim to be and that they understand the contents of the documents they are signing.

When a notary attempts to notarize their own signature, they cannot fulfill this impartial role, as they have a vested interest in the document. The law is structured to promote accountability and safeguards against fraud, which is why it expressly prohibits notaries from performing notarial acts for themselves.

As a result, only individuals other than the notary can witness and confirm that act of notarization, thereby maintaining a fair and unbiased notarization process. This rule is designed to uphold the trustworthiness of notarized documents, which are often used in legal proceedings and can have significant implications.